Chigvintsev, who is the other half of last year’s Strictly winner Kara Tointon , thinks that their work ethic is a little sluggish, saying: ‘Let’s say out of 100%, we probably put effort about 15, so there’s a lot more.’

He added: ‘Holly’s progress is quite good. There’s moments where it looks really good – and there’s moments, a lot more moments, where it looks in the process of being good.’

The Neighbours actress praised Artem’s teaching skills, but admitted that they do squabble during practice.

She said: ‘Artem and I are going very well. he’s a very good teacher. He’s patient.

‘We squabble and bicker but at least it’s light-hearted and it’s not too heavy we can just laugh about it, but he can get really mean by the end of the week.’

It seems dancing in heels is proving an obstacle for Valance though, adding: ‘Girls have to wear high heels and I’d love to see some of the boys wearing them and see if they don’t moan the same as we do.

‘It is a little bit more difficult – not so much the heel, but because you are on the ball of your feet all the time so that can get uncomfortable, quite painful. So I have to get used to it and make sure everything else is strong around it so it takes the pressure off.’

Strictly Come Dancing returns for a ninth series on BBC One on Friday at 9pm.